Just because a judge asks you a question does not mean they have the authority to ask it or that you have to answer it.
His question had nothing to do with ongoing court cases either. Its a personal medical status question of someone. Asked in a public venue, no privacy whatsoever, anyone can hear it, and the courtroom may be recording at that time.
Besides one could answer “cucumber!”. Might not like the answer but theres no law that says he has to like your answer.
Or answer with a question of your own. “Have you been vaccinated?” “Whats the length of your erection?”
Yeah I said I concur with you. While I said he has the right to remove people from the court room, that was an assumption. I claimed ignorance as to the taking of the defendants as to its legality. 8>)
The one in the center receiving the McKusick Award
The Student Bar Association of the University of South Dakota School of Law presented United States District Judge Charles B. Kornmann of the Northern District of South Dakota with the Marshall M. McKusick Award for his exemplary service to the legal profession at the Annual Meeting of the State Bar of South Dakota in Rapid City, June 23, 2017.
He's a Democrat, appointed by Bill Clinton.